DE102020127402A1 - Brass instrument for dual use - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a brass instrument, in particular a tuba. The instrument has a tubing and a valve system (100). The valve system (100) includes a cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet (110) to be in fluid communication with the tubing, and a piston (130) movable in the cylinder along a piston travel direction (P). The valve system (100) further comprises a first actuator (140) and a second actuator (150), wherein the piston (130) is configured to be moved along by means of the first actuator (140) or the second actuator (150). the piston moving direction (P) in a direction (A), wherein the first actuator (140) and the second actuator (150) are arranged spaced from each other.

Description

technical field

The invention relates to the field of brass instruments, in particular tubas, more particularly perinet tubas, for dual use. Further, this invention relates to a valve system and air inlet mouthpiece for use in a dual-use brass instrument. Finally, the invention relates to a method for assembling a brass instrument having a valve system and an air inlet mouthpiece for dual use.

Technical background

Brass instruments are important orchestral and solo instruments in a variety of musical genres, in which sound is produced by airflow from an inlet piece through airflow tubing to an air outlet horn. Brass instruments vary in size, with the physical demands on the player increasing as the size of the instrument increases, with the tuba being among the heaviest and largest.

When the tuba was developed it was not intended to be given a solo role. But after the mid-20th century, the main part of the solo repertoire of this instrument was composed. The need for a tuba that could be played as a solo instrument was evident. Today more and more players are both technically and musically well prepared to perform as a soloist with an orchestra or symphonic band, or to play a full solo recital.

During its development, the tuba has evolved to only be played while the player is seated due to its weight and holding position.

This is a problem because the tuba covers half the player's face, the bell does not face the audience, and it is difficult to move the body while playing the instrument.

1. 1. Dem Publikum gegenüberstehend:
   • Das halbe Gesicht eines Spielers ist dann bedeckt und der Schalltrichter des Instruments ist Richtung einer oberen Ecke der Bühne positioniert. Als Ergebnis, obwohl das Publikum zu einem gewissen Grad das halbe Gesicht des Spielers sehen kann, kann der Spieler nur begrenzten Kontakt mit dem Publikum machen. Ferner ist der Klang, der auf dem Instrument gespielt wird, schwierig wahrzunehmen, weil der Schalltrichter überhaupt nicht in Richtung Publikum zeigt.
2. 2. Seitlich zu dem Publikum:
   • Das Spiel eines Tubaspielers ist ein bisschen besser hörbar, weil zumindest der Schalltrichter in Richtung des Publikums positioniert ist - wenngleich dennoch eher aufwärts.

There are basically two ways for a tuba soloist to play the instrument on stage:

1. 1. Facing the audience:
   • Half of a player's face is then covered and the instrument's bell is positioned towards an upper corner of the stage. As a result, although the audience can see half of the player's face to some extent, the player can only make limited contact with the audience. Furthermore, the sound played on the instrument is difficult to perceive because the bell does not face the audience at all.
2. 2. Sideways to the audience:
   • A tuba player's playing is a little more audible because at least the bell is positioned towards the audience - albeit rather upwards.

However, the static, almost motionless sitting position is an ongoing problem in both cases. The player cannot communicate with his body, or with the audience, or with the conductor, or with the musicians, which severely limits the tuba soloist's ability to express himself.

U.S. 2008/0092719 A1 discloses a shoulder marching tuba with a compact tuning slide arrangement for tuning. The authors recognize the differences between concert tubas and shoulder marching tubas and the different configurations required.

U.S. 2008/0092718 A1 discloses a shoulder marching tuba with an array of airflow tubing defining a viewing region to provide a musician playing the tuba with a relatively unobstructed view left through the tuba while marching. While merely another arrangement of tubing is provided, it is even more apparent that the above limitations of a tuba-sized instrument require an inventive solution.

DE 10 2009 008 571 A1 discloses a brass instrument having a switching valve for switching between a first fundamental pitch and a second fundamental pitch of the instrument. The underlying problem discussed above is not addressed.

Therefore, there might be a need for a brass instrument, particularly a tuba, which is convertible to be played in a seated (traditional) and a standing position to provide the player with an unobstructed field of view and at the same time a new convenient orientation of the bell, according to the performance situation to provide.

Summary of the Invention

This need can be met by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of this invention tion are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a brass instrument, in particular a tuba, is provided, having a tubing and a valve system. The valve system may, according to the first aspect of the invention, comprise a cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet to be in fluid communication with the tubing, and a piston which is movable in the cylinder along a piston movement direction, the valve system further comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, wherein the piston is configured to be moved in one direction by the first actuator or by the second actuator along a direction of movement of the piston, the first actuator and the second actuator being spaced apart from each other.

The brass instrument may further include an air inlet mouthpiece and an air outlet bell (or horn). Therefore, sounds (tones) can be generated by a player when the player places his lips on the air-inlet mouthpiece and blows (exhales air) while vibrating the lips, generating an airflow from the air-inlet mouthpiece through the piping and valve system to the air outlet horn. Still according to the first aspect of the invention, the instrument is playable by the player in a way that the player can hold and play the tuba in a desired position, and the important parts such as the air-inlet mouthpiece with his mouth, and the valve system with his hands.

This aspect of the invention is based on the idea that for different playing scenarios the player also needs a different configuration of the tuba that allows him to see, walk or sit, the conductor, the audience, and/or the music and the listeners to provide optimal sound. Optimal sound is usually achieved when the mouth of the horn is oriented towards the audience. For more convenience, the player can use a strap (or belt) attached to the tuba to carry the tuba while playing.

In the context of this application, the terms "attach" and "remove" refer to mounting (respectively dismounting), modifying, and/or replacing parts of the instrument. For example, according to some aspects of the invention, the player (or a user in general, such as a maintenance worker or manufacturer) can replace an air-inlet mouthpiece with a different air-inlet mouthpiece. The player can also remove parts of the valve system and put them back in a different position.

It is a second aspect of the invention to provide a valve system for use in a brass instrument, particularly a tuba, the valve system comprising a plurality of valves, each valve comprising a cylinder and a piston and a plurality of actuators, e.g. In addition, the system can further include a variety of pulley mechanisms.

The term “valve” of a valve system designates a valve, in particular a piston valve for brass instruments, with a piston being movably arranged in a cylinder. Such a cylinder may have a first port and a second port, the piston being movable along a direction of piston movement between the first port and the second port. One or more air flow through holes may be provided in the piston of the valve to connect various tubes of the series of air flow tubing of the instrument. A piston can be moved along the direction of piston movement when the player of the instrument presses a corresponding valve button of the valve system. The same piston can be returned to the starting position, for example, by the resisting force of a restoring means (for example a spring) which can be suitably arranged in the cylinder.

In the context of this application, a "pulley mechanism" should primarily be understood to mean a single pulley mechanism with a pulley fixed to change the direction of a force applied to the mechanism. Nonetheless, according to one aspect of the invention, the pulley mechanism can also be configured to multiply the force applied to the mechanism and therefore can have more than one fixed and/or movable pulley. The pulley mechanism according to some embodiments of the invention may include a rope, which may be a wire, string, thread, chain, metal wire, or other suitable element for absorbing and transmitting a force applied to the pulley mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the valve system can have a plurality of valves, eg at least three valves, in particular at least four valves, the number of pulley mechanisms of the plurality of pulley mechanisms corresponding to the number of valves of the plurality of valves. In in other words, the instrument can have, for example, three valves and thus three corresponding pulley mechanisms.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the cylinders may have a first port, a second port, and a first receptacle for receiving, particularly releasably receiving, one of the plurality of valve buttons, the piston being movable along a direction of piston movement between the first port and the second Opening.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least some of the valve buttons of the plurality of valve buttons are detachable. Therefore, the player may need only one set of valve buttons (a plurality of valve buttons) for both configurations of the instrument.

In the context of this application, the term "dismantle" can mean in particular, but not exclusively, releasing or separating a connection between two respective parts, for example by means of unplugging or unscrewing. Accordingly, the term "attach" can describe the establishment of a connection between two parts by means of screws or plugs.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first actuator and the second actuator are arranged at a distance from one another on different sides of the valve system. More specifically, the cylinder of a valve (i.e. valve system) may have a first end opposite a second end with respect to the direction of movement of the piston. The first actuator can be located at the first end and the second actuator can be located at the second end of the cylinder.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second actuators includes a force redirecting mechanism (i.e., a force direction changing mechanism). An actuator generates a force along an actuation direction of the actuator. The force redirection mechanism is configured to redirect the force in a direction parallel to the piston's direction of movement. Therefore, when the piston is to be moved along the first piston movement direction and the actuator generates a force in a direction opposite to the piston movement direction, the force redirection mechanism diverts the force direction in a direction parallel to the piston movement direction. As described below, the force reversing mechanism may include a pulley around which is threaded a cable connected between the actuator and the piston.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the actuators can also have valve buttons, with at least one of the force deflection mechanism of the first actuator or of the second actuator being a pulley mechanism, having a cable with a first end and a second end and at least one pulley, in particular at least an idler pulley, and a valve button receiver configured to releasably receive a valve button. In addition, according to the same embodiment, the cable may have a first end and a second end, the first end being directly or indirectly connected to the valve button, which is removably received in the valve button receptacle, and the second end being removably coupled to the Piston by means of a coupling agent. Thus, by applying a force to the valve button received in the valve button seat, the force is redirected in a direction opposite to the direction of the force by means of the roller and the piston is thus indirectly moved in an actuating direction as if it had been pushed directly by the first actuator would.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the valve buttons can be detachably arranged in the respective actuators and the valve buttons can be exchangeable.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the coupling means may be a ball head coupling comprising a pivot element (yaw) directly or indirectly connected to the piston or to the second end of the cable, and a ball corresponding to the pivot element and directly or indirectly connected to either the second end of the rope or the piston. The coupling means can also be of any other type, for example a plug-in mechanism or a mechanism comprising a screw or generally anything that works on the key-lock principle.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the valve system may further comprise a restoring means configured to return the piston to an initial position after the piston has been moved by one of the actuators. This restoring means can be a spring, for example, or different springs with variable spring forces.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the brass instrument can have a large number of valve systems, in particular four valve systems.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the brass instrument can further comprise a a first mouthpiece for generating an airflow, the mouthpiece being configured for use when one or more first actuators are used by a player, or a second mouthpiece for generating an airflow configured for use when one or more second actuators are used by a Player. According to the same embodiment, the mouthpieces can be configured to releasably attach to the instrument such that the mouthpieces, the series of airflow tubing, the valve system, and the air outlet horn are in fluid communication.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the instrument or at least a part of the instrument can be made of or have at least one material from the group consisting of brass, silver, German silver, gold, or alloys thereof, and fiber composites. The instrument is advantageously made from one of the materials mentioned or from another material with equally good or better characteristics in terms of acoustics, weight, durability and the like.

It should be noted that various embodiments of the invention have been described in terms of different subjects. In particular, some example embodiments have been described with reference to method-type claims, while example embodiments have been described with reference to device-type claims. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the above and following description that, unless otherwise indicated, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of object, also combinations between features belonging to different objects, in particular between features the method-type claims and features of the device-type claims are to be considered as disclosed in this document.

The aspects defined above and further aspects of this invention are evident from the examples of embodiments which are to be described hereinafter and which are explained with reference to examples of the embodiments. The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, to which the invention is not limited.

character list

• 1 shows a valve system according to an embodiment of the invention.
• 2 shows a valve system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein one of the actuators is a force direction changing mechanism, in particular a pulley mechanism.
• 3 shows a valve system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the valve system has four valves.
• 4 and 5 show a detail of a pulley mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• 6 12 shows a coupling mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.
• 7 shows different views of a brass instrument, in particular a tuba, in different configurations according to embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description

The illustration in the drawings is schematic. It is pointed out that in different figures similar or identical elements or features have the same reference numbers, which differ from the corresponding reference numbers only in the first digit. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the elements or features which have already been highlighted with reference to a previously described embodiment will not be explained again at a later point in the description.

In addition, spatial-relative terms such as "front", "back", "above" and "below", "left" and "right", "side", et cetera are used to describe the relationship of an element to other elements that are contained in illustrated in the figures. Therefore, the spatially relative terms applicable to the in-use orientation may differ from the orientation depicted in the figures. Obviously, all such spatially-relative terms refer only to the orientation shown in the figures, to facilitate description, and are not necessarily limiting, since a device according to an embodiment may, in use, assume other orientations, which may differ from those which are illustrated in the figures.

1 shows a valve system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The valve system 100 can be arranged in a brass instrument, in particular a tuba. The instrument includes tubing and valve system 100 as shown in FIG 1 . The valve system 100 includes a cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet 110 to be in fluid communication with the casing, and a piston 130, wel cher is movable in the cylinder along a piston movement direction P. The valve system 100 further comprises a first actuator 140 and a second actuator 150, wherein the piston 130 is configured to be moved by means of the first actuator 140 or by means of the second actuator 150 along a piston movement direction P in a direction A, wherein the first actuator 140 and the second actuator 150 are spaced from each other.

In one embodiment, a valve system 100 may include a cylinder 120 that serves as the valve envelope of the valve. However, a valve system according to an embodiment of the invention may include more than one valve with respective cylinders 120, for example four valves with four cylinders. The valve system 100 or one of its valves also has a piston 130 which is arranged in one of the cylinders 120 and which is movable along a piston movement direction P. The valve system 100 can also have air inlets/outlets 110 in order to be in fluid communication with instrument casing, for example main casing, valve loop (not shown). Air from the instrument's tubing flowing through the valve system may flow through one or more through holes 131 provided in the piston 130 to thereby generate tonal sounds.

According to another embodiment of the invention, first and second actuators 140, 150 have valve buttons 141, 151 and first valve stems 142, 152, respectively. The first and second actuators 140, 150 are spaced from each other. For example, according to the embodiment shown in 1 , the first and second actuators 140, 150 may be located on opposite sides of the valve system 100. The actuators may be directly or indirectly connected to the piston 130. For example, the actuator 150 may be indirectly connected to the piston 130 by a mechanism symbolized by dashed line C, which mechanism can be coupled to the piston by means of a coupling means 160. A valve system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention may further comprise a restoring means 101 and/or a restoring means 102. Such a restoring means 101, 102 may, for example, be a In other words, the restoring means 101 can also cause the piston to move along a piston movement direction P, with a restoring force for returning the piston 130 to an initial position.

Thus, the instrument has the valve of the valve system 100 in two positions. For example, the musician can push the first actuator 140 from one side of the cylinder 120 or the musician can push the second actuator 150 from the other side of the cylinder 120 so as to control the piston 130 and thereby control the airflow, respectively the sounds through the air inlet and outlet 110, and through the piping, respectively.

2 shows a valve system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the second actuator 150 is a force direction changing mechanism, or a force deflection mechanism. The valve system of 2 is similar to the valve system of the embodiment of the invention shown in 1 is described.

In addition, the force direction changing mechanism has a pulley mechanism comprising a rope 153, a pulley 154 and a valve button receptacle 155 in which the valve button 151 is received. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the pulley mechanism is a single pulley mechanism with a fixed pulley 154 for changing the direction of a force F acting on the mechanism 2 can be seen, when a force F acts on the actuator 141, the piston is moved in an actuation direction A, which points in the same direction as force F. In another example, when a force F, which points for example in the opposite direction of force F acts on the actuator 150, a first end of the cable 153, which first end is coupled to the actuator 150, is moved in a direction A', which points in the same direction as force F. By means of the pulley 154 and the cable 153, the force F' is diverted in the opposite direction A. Thus, a second end of the cable 153, which second end is coupled to the piston 130 by means of a coupling means 160, is moved in the actuating direction A. So the piston 130 is also moved in the actuation direction A. Thus, when the force F is applied by means of the first actuator 140 and when a force F is applied by means of the second actuator 150, the piston direction of movement A is the same, although the direction of the force changes from force P is directed in an opposite direction with respect to the direction of force of force F.

In both cases - the application of forces F or F - the piston 120 can be returned to an initial position by any one of the restoring means 101, 102. A pulley mechanism according to an aspect of the invention can also be configured to multiply the force F' acting on the mechanism and can therefore have more than one fixed and/or movable roller. The pulley mechanism according to version Examples of the invention may include a rope 153, which may be a wire, string, thread, chain, metal wire, or other suitable element for absorbing and transmitting a force applied to the pulley mechanism. A force transfer mechanism according to other embodiments of the invention may, for example, be an arrangement of steering rods or other suitable devices for the transmission of forces. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention which is not illustrated, a first actuator 140 can also have a force redirection mechanism, so that both the first and second actuators 140, 150 have force redirection mechanisms. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first and second actuators 140, 150 can be directly related, so that, for example, a force acting on one of the two actuators is transmitted to the piston by means of the respective other actuator.

3 shows a valve system 300 according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the valve system 300 has four valves. Accordingly, there are provided four cylinders 320 and four actuators 350 each having four pulley mechanisms as previously described. It is noteworthy that according to an embodiment of the invention, the rollers 354 are of different sizes, for example different diameters. Different sizes of the rollers 354, or equivalent elements in the case that a different type of force reversing mechanism is used, can be advantageous for precisely setting transmission ratios of forces acting on the force reversing mechanism, or for example for controlling a stroke of a piston 130 in Ratio to a force F, F' acting on an actuator 140, 150.

4 and 5 show details of a pulley mechanism of an actuator 450, 550 according to an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment according to the invention 4 no valve button is mounted or received in the valve button receptacle 455. In another embodiment according to FIG 5 For example, valve button 551 is attached and received in valve button receptacle 555. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, valve buttons 141, 151 may be detachable and may also be interchangeable. In other words, a valve button 141 can be detached from the actuator 140 (see FIG 1 or 2 ) and can be attached to be housed in the actuator 150, or vice versa.

6 Figure 12 shows a coupling means 660 according to an embodiment of the invention. The coupling means 660 can be a ball head coupling, for example. The coupling means 660 can thus comprise a pivot element 661 in which a corresponding ball can be coupled (not shown), which ball can be connected to a second end of the cable 153 or to the actuator 150 in general. Such a coupling means can ensure a reliable connection between the piston 130 and the power redirection mechanism. Additionally, such a coupling means may be advantageous for disconnecting the piston 130 from the second actuator 150 when only the first actuator 140 is in use.

7 12 shows different views of a brass instrument in different configurations according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Details A, C and E show the instrument in a case when a musician or player M plays the instrument in a conventional way and mainly uses the first actuators 740 to move pistons 130 of the valve system or systems 700. Details B, D and F show the instrument in a case when a musician or player M plays the instrument in a standing manner and mainly uses second actuators 750 to move pistons 130 of the valve system or systems 700.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

Reference List

100

valve system

101

return means

102

return means

110

air inlet/outlet

120

cylinder

130

Pistons

131

through holes

140

First actuator

141

valve button

142

valve stem

150

Second actuator

151

valve button

152

valve stem

153

Rope

154

role

155

valve button recording

160

coupling agent

661

swivel element

A

operating direction

C

mechanism

f

power

F'

power

M

Musician

P

Direction of piston movement

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US 2008/0092719 A1 [0008]
• US 2008/0092718 A1 [0009]
• DE 102009008571 A1 [0010]

Claims (10)

Having a brass instrument, in particular a tuba a piping, a valve system (100) comprising a cylinder with an air inlet and an air outlet (110) to be in fluid communication with the tubing, and a piston (130) which is movable in the cylinder along a piston movement direction (P), wherein the valve system (100) further comprises a first actuator (140) and a second actuator (150), wherein the piston (130) is configured to be moved by means of the first actuator (140) or the second actuator (150) along the piston movement direction (P) in a direction (A), wherein the first actuator (140) and the second actuator (150) are spaced from each other. The brass instrument according to claim 1 wherein the first actuator (140) and the second actuator (150) are spaced from each other on opposite sides of the valve system. The brass instrument according to claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the first actuator (140) or the second actuator (150) comprises a force deflection mechanism. The brass instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the actuators (140, 150) further comprise valve buttons (141, 151), and wherein at least one of the force deflection mechanisms of the first actuator (140) or the second actuator (150) is a pulley mechanism comprising a rope (153) with a first end and a second end, at least one pulley (154), in particular at least one deflection pulley (154), and a valve button receptacle (155) configured to releasably receive a valve button (141,151), and wherein the cable (153) has a first End and second end, the first end being connected directly or indirectly to the valve button (141,151) which is releasably received in the valve button receptacle (155), and the second end being releasably coupled to the piston by means of a coupling means (160) . The brass instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the valve buttons (141,151) are detachably arranged in the respective actuators (140,150), and wherein the valve buttons (141,151) are interchangeable. The valve system according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the coupling means (160) is a ball head coupling, having a pivoting element (661) connected directly or indirectly to the piston (130) or to the second end of the cable (153), or to the piston 130, The brass instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve system further comprises restoring means (101, 102) configured to bring the piston (130) back to an initial position after the piston (130) has been moved by one of the actuators (140, 150) . The brass instrument according to one of the preceding claims, having a plurality of valve systems (100), in particular four valve systems. The brass instrument according to claim 8 further comprising a first mouthpiece for generating an air flow, the mouthpiece being configured for use when one or more of the first actuators (140) are used by a player, a second mouthpiece for generating an air flow, the mouthpiece being configured for use when one or more of the second actuators (150) are used by a player. The brass instrument of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the instrument is made of, or includes at least one material from the group consisting of brass, silver, nickel silver, gold, or alloys thereof, and fiber composites

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